Frank Leto gets his on-air break
by Keisha Williams, Outpost Contributor.
|
In this package:
Guitarist dreams of music publishing business On the Web: |
"Hi, I'm Frank and welcome to another edition of Coming Distractions." This is how most people are introduced to Frank Leto-as the gray-haired, big bow tie wearing, funny man on News Channel 8's new show. After working behind the scenes in the television world for more than 25 years, Frank finally got his big on-air break this fall in Reno. Coming Distractions, a locally produced show hosted by Frank, previews upcoming shows on ABC with a bit of comic relief. For example, Frank loves to crack on Zena and Hercules. Frank's big break has earned him a new-found status in the industry.
"Many of my ideas haven't changed over the years. Twenty-five years ago when I started out, people didn't listen to me. But when my hair turned gray at the age of 30, people started to listen."
Yes, people are now listening to Frank every Monday night after ABC's Monday Night Football.
After pursuing his dreams and working hard for many years, Frank says he appreciates the opportunity to host Coming Distractions and hopes this might lead to another on-air opportunity after the football season ends.
|
After taping a recent show, Frank walks into his office with a big, fun-loving smile. He sits down and crosses his arms and legs in the darkly lit room. He obviously was anxiously awaiting the opportunity to be interviewed. Without missing a beat, he starts telling his life story. "I am from Long Island, New York, and of all the members of my family I was the creative one," he says. He spent most of his youth as an artist and musician. "My best friend,Steve, and I got a movie camera and started making animated movies." These movies featured spy series and monster dramas. |
Frank Leto takes a peek away from Soupy Sales. Photo courtesy of Channel 8 |
After high school, Frank entered Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and received his bachelor's degree in motion picture production. In the mid 1970s video was just starting to emerge.
"Video made my life a lot easier. Video was instantaneous and more efficient (than film)." He then decided to continue his education by going back to RIT, where he received his master's degree in motion picture and television production in 1976.
Now it was time for Frank to step into the real world, which for the most part disappointed him because of the trade unions that made it difficult to get a job.
"You almost had to have a relative working in the industry to get an apprenticeship." This was a hard time for him because most of his jobs were freelance positions.
"Practical Frank wanted a check every week," Frank says, laughing.
After freelancing in corporate communications, the practical side took over. He decided to actively pursue the corporate aspect of communication on a more permanent basis and started working at Goodyear Aerospace Corporation in Phoenix. At Goodyear Aerospace, a defense contractor, Frank produced videos, documentaries and motion pictures.
"I had a lot of fun traveling around the world. I also was able to ride the blimp. That was a blast. You should try it. It's unbelievable."
Frank moved from Phoenix to Dallas and worked for E-Systems, a defense contract formerly owned by multi-billionaire Ross Perot.
In 1990, Frank endured a life-changing experience when he moved to Saudi Arabia and became a video production teacher. Frank says he thought it would be interesting and he loved to travel.
"The money was good and they made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
He says he was shocked to find out that many of the "U.S. civilians" were there to dry out from alcohol and drug problems. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, where strict laws make it difficult to get drugs or alcohol. Soon after his arrival in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf War broke out.
"(U.S.) soldiers were knocking on my door asking if they could sleep under my dining room table," Frank says. He says these marines, "tough guys," needed help from "little me." With Frankís fun-loving and outgoing personality, he says, the soldiers said he made them feel comfortable with his helpful nature. "It was also comforting to know that I had the strongest dining room table in the compound."
Sitting up with a serious look, Frank began to recall the deaths of American men.
"I lived 1,000 yards from where the scud landed that killed 28 guys from Pennsylvania," he says.
Soon after, Frank decided it was time for him to leave and return to America.
"I'm a lover not a fighter," he says jokingly.
After receiving a mild case of shell shock in the Middle East, Frank wanted to do something fun. The life-changing experience made him more worldly and appreciative of life. He wanted to step back into the territory that was most familiar to him-entertaining.
"I wanted to resume a career that I could enjoy, and I wanted to start enjoying life more." With this new perspective, he produced commericals for the New York Times Company until he accepted his current position at Channel 8. Frank says it was the right choice.
"I love the West with its lakes and mountains and I like to make people smile or laugh. I like the challenge of coming up with new ideas or concepts that work well with the various clients."
Talking about his creative approach excited Frank, and he soon started using his hands to illustrate his style. Frank says he creates many parodies and satirical commercials. Satire is an effective way of relating to the consumer and selling the product, he adds.
"My favorite commercial is The Office Files." This commercial is a parody of the FOX series "The X-Files" and shows aliens "stocking up" on supplies at Custom Office Supply because of its quality and prices. In the commercial, look alikes of the X-Files actors in the series are used to create the full effect.
"Frank is a total delight to have on our team. He has created some of the best commercials in Northern Nevada," says Sam Breen, creative service manager for Channel 8.
Frank says he loves to produce commercials that are funny and people can relate to.
"As long as making commercials is fun, this is what I will do," he says.
Frank has been fortunate to meet many celebrities who visit Reno. One visitor was Frank's favorite comedian, Soupy Sales. Now Frank displays an 8 X 10 picture of the two men proudly on his wall.
"I enjoy slapstick comedians like the Three Stooges and Soupy Sales." Frank is now putting together a project that came about when he met Soupy earlier this year. Frank, with his creative approach, demonstrated his talents by using his puppet, and Soupy loved the impersonation. Frank declined to elaborate on the specifics of the project because of the open-ended decisions involved. Now Frank has the opportunity to use his creativity on air in Coming Distractions.
"I was very flattered when the 'powers that be' came to me and said we have time after Monday Night Football, and would like you to consider hosting the show."
Looking up at the ceiling trying to find the appropriate words to express his views about the show, Frank says the first show was "really good". He enjoyed the funny bits and the comedy relief that he added to the previews. But after the first show, the "powers that be" decided that he had to turn it down a notch. With a smirky laugh, he added"They made me take most of the funny stuff out." The transition really affected Frank.
"I was disappointedby this decision, but I realized I was doing this show for News Channel 8. Comedy is a difficult thing to do because you always have to piss off someone, but the trick is to piss off everyone equally."
At the live taping of the show each Monday night, he involves the entire production crew, which continuously gives Frank feedback. Feedback like: "Don't quit your day job."
"I enjoy working with the producer Robert Hoke. I really like and respect him because he is a lot like me...always thinking."
With this type of outlook and many years of service, Frank is now in prime-time.
"I am a dedicated, happy go-lucky person that I think people would enjoy watching after they got used to me." Frank leans closer to me and whispers: "Plus if the show didn't work they wouldn't have embarrassed an existing talent at the station. I am not offended easily-I do and I'm always looking for the next idea to cultivate."
So what ís next for Frank?
"Someone saw the show and liked my sense of humor, and asked if I would be interested in trying out as a writer for a nationally syndicated children's show in Los Angeles." But he makes it clear that this is just something he is thinking about.
In the meantime, Frank will continue to walk the halls of News Channel 8, brightening everyone's day with his smile.
"Life is a game. Things have changed a lot in the last 30 years. Its become a game of avoiding as many jerks and assholes as you can. I live my fantasy every day. You should do something that is more fun than work."
posted 11/15/97 Nevada Outpost